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BACK TO OUR CHARITY FUND RAISING!

BACK TO OUR CHARITY FUND RAISING!

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At last we were back to raising funds for our charities and taking part in a community activity. We raised £70 for Sightsavers and Accrington Womens Centre, and had lots of fun with all the other charity fundraisers. It was wonderful to get together again with our friends.   We also congratulated Soroptimist International on her 100th Birthday  

MEETINGS WITH ZOOM

MEETINGS WITH ZOOM

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As with other clubs our business and social meetings have been held on Zoom. It has been wonderful in keeping us in touch with each other during Lockdown. Who knew that we would be using such technology!!  

HOW IS YOUR ORIGAMI?

HOW IS YOUR ORIGAMI?

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Well, how are your Origami skills? Come and find out with Stephen Watson who also will entertain you with his banter. You will be amazed how good you are after following Steven’s clear instructions. All done with fun and friendship – our motto Come and join us for an Open Evening with Soroptimists of Rishton and Great Harwood at Bank Mill House, Great Harwood BB6 7NF at 7.30pm Supper is provided –  all for a nominal cost of £2.00 A raffle will be held for Nightsafe, Blackburn and Bloodbikes You will be made most welcome Jan from Nightsafe and … from Blood bikes        

ASK ME WHY I AM A SOROPTIMIST

ASK ME WHY I AM A SOROPTIMIST

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We are a group of women who want to improve the lives of women and girls in our local community, the country and overseas.The projects we choose Enable, Empower and Educate. Our club campaigned against Trafficking and support the anti trafficking organisation – Purple Teardrop. We support Local projects. Such as The Food Bank Child Action North West received cheques from us for over £1,000 Raffles raised funds for McMillan Nurses, Women in Kenya and for The Blood Bikes Speakers inform, educate or entertain us about a variety of issues, skills or crafts. Our Business Meetings are informative, professional, and friendly. We discuss our projects, the running of the club, our social plans, and local issues. We also have an active social life:     We make very good friends  

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

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Six members attended the Regional Conference at Lancaster where speakers from Water Aid and Fair Trade updated delegates of the work they were doing. Dorothy, Beryl, Jean, Joyce, Regional President Margaret, Our President Pam and Jean Margaret Hammond, our Regional President chaired the conference and introduced Sue Biggs, Federation Vice President who outlined the future plans for Soroptimists until 2021. The agenda also included updates on business and projects throughout the Region. Members were able to liaise with other Soroptimists and Dorothy passed on over 250 premature baby clothes to a member who passed them on to a midwife in Blackpool, where they would be gratefully used.    

STEM FOR GIRLS

STEM FOR GIRLS

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At our Regional Conference in Lancaster, Margaret Emsley, our Federation President, who is an engineer by profession, encouraged Soroptimists to promote the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to women and girls.   So, are we encouraging our daughters and granddaughters to be enthusiatic and interested in these subjects by showing them from a young age how exciting they are? Do we buy toys and games which promote electronics, science and construction? Do we encourage them with their STEM homework and interest them in science exhibitions and museums? STEM qualifications are urgently needed and highly valued in employment. Lets give our girls the tools to succeed in these areas.  

£144,500 FOR GAMBIA MATERNITY CARE

£144,500 FOR GAMBIA MATERNITY CARE

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Soroptimists raised over £144,500 to improve birthing in The Gambia. Soroptimists of Rishton and Great Harwood contributed with other clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and MACI to strengthen emergency care with a sustainable whole system programme for the emergency care of pregnant women, newborn infants and children in countries with extreme poverty. A new 10 bed labour ward extension and operating room in Brikama in The Gambia are now complete. 221 doctors, nurses and midwives plus 48 traditional birth attendants have been trained. Soroptimists are committed to improving the lives of women and girls so this has proved an excellent project.  

60 YEARS SERVICE

60 YEARS SERVICE

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Soroptimists of Rishton and Great Harwood celebrate 60 years service to the Community since we were first Chartered in 1954. The Local Council agreed to plant blue and yellow flowers in the design of the Soroptimist Dynamic ‘S’ outside Mercer Hall in Great Harwood in celebration. Prospects have also planted blue and yellow flowers outside Norden Court in Rishton. In October Members will be celebrating 60 years service with a day out in Clitheroe and a Charter Dinner inviting local Soroptimists, friends and guests.

CELEBRATION OF LONG SERVICE

CELEBRATION OF LONG SERVICE

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Joint President Dorothy was pleased to present Pam with her Long Service celebrating 35 years as a Soroptimist.   Pam has been a very active member of Rishton and Great Harwood. She has been the Club’s President three times and the Programme Action Officer as well as the Club’s delegate at Conferences and Regional Meetings. She was also the Regional President in 1985, the Regional Membership Officer and the Regional Programme Action Officer. Joint President Jeanne was also pleased to present Beryl with her Long Service award celebrating 25 years as a Soroptimist.   Beryl has also been a very active member. She has been the Club’s President twice and the Programme Action Officer as well as taking the club’s minutes for many years. She has also been the Club’s Delegate for Conferences and Regional Meetings and was a Founder Member of the Osteoporosis support